Ski



March 24, 1942. w. H. VINTON SKI Filed Feb. '7, 1940 2 Sheeis-Sheetl Y g m m m QM: QM @N \N W \A RA 6 NE QMNNW .uwmwuw. WW a Saw-mam,-

March 24, 1942. w. H. VINTON Patented Mar. 24, 1942 SKI William 11. Vinton, Brattleboro, Vt. Application February 7,1940, Serial No. 317,756

3 Claims. (01. 280511.13)

This invention relates to skis.

Skis or snow skates have long been in vogue and they provide a source of great amusement in Scandinavian and other countries experiencing snow deposits of relatively long duration.

. As is well known by persons skilled in this particular amusement, skis are relatively-long and narrow runner like members to the intermediate portions of which the shoes of the users are strapped and comparatively great skill is required in the successful use of same.

Furthermore, the particular construction of the skis is an important consideration both from the standpoint of ease of manipulation as well as assured safety and maximum comfortin the use of same.

The original skis as well as succeeding ones for a relatively long period of time were constructed from wood which of course were considered highly satisfactory.

The wooden skis however, presented many disadvantages in that they were unduly heavy, were subject to comparatively easy breakage with attendant injuries tothe users thereof, were subject to warping unless carefully put away when not in use, requiring waxing and dressing treatments as well asbeing chilled before used.

These recognized disadvantages of the wooden skis were to a large measure overcome by the advent of metallic skis which have heretofore been proposed or used.

While the aforesaid disadvantages of the wooden skis are to a large extent overcome in the construction of skis from metal, it is nevertheless, highly important that the skis be properly designed, proportioned and reinforced in order to offer maximum satisfaction in their use.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a metallic ski which is of relatively light weight, which possesses sumcient elasticity to conform with irregular snow levels and prevent same from being distorted, cracked or broken when in use and which is properly reinforced to maintain the above noted conditions.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a metallic ski which is preferably constructed from aluminum for maximum lightness and which is capable of being cast in a single piece or in separate pieces in such manner as to be readily connected for use or disconnected for storage or transportation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a metallic ski which is relatively simple in construction, which is capable of manufacture at relatively low cost and which fulfills the maximum requirements of devices of this kind.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,- reference will be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is atop plan view of the complete ski constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the ski represented in Figure 1.-

Figure 3 is an enlarged and foreshortened top plan view of the rear half portion of the ski.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 36 and 3f are respectively transverse sections of Figure 3 taken on the corresponding section lines indicated thereon.

Figure 4 is an enlarged and foreshortened top plan view of the front half of the ski.

Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g and 471. are respectively transverse sections of Figure 4 taken on the corresponding section lines indicated thereon.

Figure 5 is a fragmental perspective view showing rigid and flexible connections between corresponding sections of which the ski may be constructed.

Figure 6 is a modified form of rigid connection and Figures '7, 8 and 9 are modified forms of flexible connections.

As is indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the improve ski S is generally of the configuration of those heretofore used, being slightly upwardly bowed as indicated at H! and having an upturned forward end as indicated at H.

As indicated in Figure 1 the ski is somewhat wider at its opposed ends than at its mid portion and the front end is smoothly curved as at I! to the relatively small rounded. nose l3.

The ski S embodies a rear portion H, a front portion l5, and an intermediate portion l6.

For a detailed description of these different portions of the ski reference will now be made to Figures 3 to 4h from which it will be seen that the ski essentially embodies an elongated plate or base l'l which as to its main body portion is relatively thick at the intermediate or shoe engaging portion i6 and gradually diminishes in thickness therefrom toward both the front and rear ends thereof.

The plate I! has an uninterrupted bottom surface except for a centrally disposed and longitudinally extending channel l8 which is provided for proper guidance in the snow and the bottom surface is slightly upwardly bowed, the intermediate portion li being normally disposed above a tangent to the opposed end portions as indicated in Figure 2.

The intermediate portion I6 is in itself substantially rigid and may be provided with suitable straps for attachment to the shoes of users. The opposed end portions however, are somewhat flexible oryieldable and the upwardly curved front end II is of maximum flexibility to provide for uneven snow surfaces.

In order to provide this required flexibility and at the same time provide against undue distortion or breakage, the portions I4 and I! are constructed as follows, reference flrst being made to the rear portion I.

As indicated in Figures 3 to 3! the base or plate ll gradually diminishes in thickness from the intermediate portion li to a point adjacent the rear end and from there increases in thickness to the end.

The rear end and opposite side edges of the plate ll are provided with flanges I! which merge into the opposed edges of the intermediate portion Ii or are interrupted thereby and these flanges gradually diminish in depth and gradually merge into the nose l3 at the front end of the Ski.

A transversely arched reinforcing ridge 20 extends from the portion li to the rear end of the portion H. The ridge 20 gradually diminishes both in width and depth from the portion li to a point adjacent the rear-end from which it gradually increases in width and depth to the rear end.

The ridge 2!! is disposed centrally of the plate ll above the channel It and with its axis in the vertical plane of the axis of channel It. The ridge 2. at its narrowest point adjacent the rear end is interconnected with the opposed flanges I! by laterally diverging ribs 2 I.

In the front end portion l as indicated in Figures 4 to 471 the plate I! likewise gradually diminishes in thickness from the portion Ii to a point adjacent the front end where for a short distance the plate is of uniform thickness as indicated in Figures 4!, 4g and 4h.

The guide channel I! gradually becomes of less depth and merges into the bottom surface of plate l1 short of the front end as is clearly indicated in Figures 4, 4), 4g and 4h.

The plate I! at the front portion I5 is likewise reinforced by a longitudinal transversely arched ridge 22 which is disposed immediately above the channel I! and which gradually diminishes in width and depth. from the portion li to a point short of the front end where it merges into the relatively thin plate IT.

The absence of the ridge and the relative thinness of the plate I! at the front end provides maximum flexibility for conformity with irreg ular snow surfaces to be traversed with the ski.

The reinforcing ridge 22 adjacent the front end of the ski is interconnected with the opposed flanges l! by means of laterally diverging reinforcing ribs 23.

While the different reinforcing elements have been termed flanges," "ridges and "ribs" such terms are used only to distinguish the different elements all of which are integral elongated raised portions on the base or plate I! for reinforcing same,

It is to be understood that the plate I! together with the various reinforcing elements is an integral construction and while elements 20 and 22 have been described as ridges they may ski is provided which is desirably light in weight' and the reinforcing elements I9, 2!), H, 22 and 23 effectively prevent distortion and breakage while at the same time permitting suflicient flexibility in the end portions of the ski. The ski may be constructed of plastic material if desired.

While the improved ski may be constructed as a single unit it may be desirable to form same in readily detachable or collapsible sections and accordingly the ski may be constructed as represented in the broken view in Figure 5.

As here represented, the opposed sections lia, lib may have overlapping tongues 25 and 26 respectively which are detachably connected by screws or similar securing elements 21. .This provides a rigid detachable connection which may be at a point at the longitudinal center of portion li or elsewhere in the length of the ski.

According to Figure 6 the rigid connection may comprisea tongue 28 on section lia receivable in a recess 29 in the section lib, the connection being maintained by screws 30 extended through the tongue 28 and section lib.

The sections of the ski may be connected by flexible connections whereby the sections may be folded upon each other to facilitate storage or transportation thereof and accordingly as indicated in Figure 7, the opposed sections lid and lib are provided with interfltting ,tongues 3| and the sections are pivotally connected at 32, the sections being retained against pivotal movement by means of a rod 33 movably disposed in alined transverse apertures in the tongues.

According to Figure 8 the opposed sections lia, lib may have hinges 34 secured to both sides whereby upon releasing one leaf of either hinge the sections may be edgewise pivoted on the other hinge.

According to Figure 9 the sections lia, lib are hingedly connected at 35 and retained against pivotal movement by releasable clamping elements ii.

If desired one or more of the detachable connections may be used throughout the length of the ski.

While I have disclosed certain specific embodiments of the invention, same are to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the sub-joined claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters patent is:

l. A metallic ski comprising an elongated base plate including an intermediate portion and front and rear portions, the intermediate portion being of uniform and maximum thickness, the front and rear portions continuously diminishing in thickness from said intermediate portion toward the opposite ends of the plate, raised elements integral with the plate for reinforcing the front and rear portions, and a guide channel in the lower face of the plate in substantially the longitudinal centre line thereof, said raised reinforcing elements including marginal flanges, medially disposed longitudinal ridges, and diagonally disposed ribs interconnecting the flanges and ridges adjacent the ends of the front and rear portions.

2. A metallic ski comprising an elongated base plate including an intermediate portion and front and rear portions, the intermediate portion being of uniform and maximum thickness, the front and rear portions continuously diminishing in thickness from said intermediate portion toward the opposite ends of the plate, reinforcing marginal flanges extending from the intermediate portion to points adjacent the opposed ends of the front and rear portions, reinforcing ridges of gradually diminishing width and depth extending longitudinally of the plate from the intermediate portion to points adjacent the ends of the front and rear portions, diagonally disposed ribs adjacent the ends of the front and rear portions and interconnecting the flanges and ridges, and a guide channel in the lower face of the plate extending longitudinally thereof below the longitudinal center lines of the ridges and terminating at a point spaced from the end of the front portion.

3. A sectional metallic ski comprising an intermediate portion of uniform and substantial thickness, front and rear portions of irregular thickness, and a detachable connection or joint in the intermediate portion for disassembly or folding of the ski, said connection comprising a vertically disposed hinge secured at each side of the sections with the pivots of the hinges in the line of joint between the sections.

WILLIAM H. VINTON. 

